DP/FLEX question

jsoftballcoach · Sep 3, 2015

Trying to understand this rule but having a hard time. I have a pitcher who is a weak hitter, so I want her to only pitch and not hit and use another player to hit in her place. She will be the starting pitcher and may pitch the entire game. Is this possible with FLEX/DP? From what I've been reading the DP/FLEX cannot only play offense or defense.

The main reason I want to use this rule is to bat my strongest 9, but still have a weak hitter play defense and not bat.

CoachKevin · Sep 3, 2015

Yes you can do that. Remember to put the Flex in the #10 position in the batting order.

Amy in AZ. · Sep 3, 2015

Read these recent posts. http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-rules-questions/25100-dp-flex-question.html

Rocketech1 · Sep 3, 2015

The short answer is that you can list the pitcher as the FLEX and have a strong hitter bat for her as the DP. On your line-up card list the pitcher (FLEX) on the 10th line and the DP anywhere in your batting order.

jsoftballcoach · Sep 3, 2015

Great, thanks for the quick responses. It was confusing, but I guess I just read it wrong. The FLEX can be used for only defense and the DP can be used for only offense, just not the other way around. Very similar to a DH.

I'll continue to read up on this rule, first time being head coach of travel 12U team and intend to use this to my advantage.

CoachKevin · Sep 3, 2015

There is a lot more you can do with it as well.... like having the DP play defense for anyone other than the Flex, it's not a sub... lol

Strike2 · Sep 3, 2015

USSSA posts their game rules online. There is also a rules supplemental that explains in pretty good detail how you can work Flex / DP in the lineup. I've used it, although not with the pitcher. You can "Flex" any position you want, and have some other player hit.

http://web.usssa.com/usssa/usssa-general/FPIntrepretations.pdf

Comp · Sep 3, 2015

jsoftballcoach said:
Great, thanks for the quick responses. It was confusing, but I guess I just read it wrong. The FLEX can be used for only defense and the DP can be used for only offense, just not the other way around. Very similar to a DH.

I'll continue to read up on this rule, first time being head coach of travel 12U team and intend to use this to my advantage.

The flex is only a defensive position and does not bat. The dp is an offensive position and is any one of the 9 in the batting order. But, as stated, the dp can play defense for anyone BUT the flex and it is not a substitution. If the dp plays defense for the flex, the flex has left the game and must use a reentry to come back into the game. The flex can bat, but only in the spot occupied by the dp, and if that happens, then the dp has left the game and must use a reentry to come back into the game. You can flip back and forth between 10 and 9 players in the lineup as many times as you have eligible subs.

WaSpeed02 · Sep 6, 2015

Comp said:
The flex is only a defensive position and does not bat. The dp is an offensive position and is any one of the 9 in the batting order. But, as stated, the dp can play defense for anyone BUT the flex and it is not a substitution. If the dp plays defense for the flex, the flex has left the game and must use a reentry to come back into the game. The flex can bat, but only in the spot occupied by the dp, and if that happens, then the dp has left the game and must use a reentry to come back into the game. You can flip back and forth between 10 and 9 players in the lineup as many times as you have eligible subs.

In addition to this, it is also handy to have your flex run for your dp. So if your flex isn't a good hitter but is fast, then you can have the dp hit and the flex run. However, doing so takes the dp out of the game and you will have to re-enter her (otherwise the flex continue to bat in the dp spot and the dp cannot play defense).

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DP/FLEX question

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